Moving into my first apartment

[Nataly]

Hi yall,

I am moving into my first apartment this Friday :2aa:

I'm very excited to start a new chapter in my life!. When ya'll started living on your own, what things did you have to change?. How did you do laundry?, I have to go to a laundry mat and hopefully I can carry everything!. Also, does anyone have advice for going out (to get mail and such) at night?. I'm thinking about getting some pepper spray or a whistle. What are some other things to consider, when moving into an apartment?.

Thanks,
Nataly

[LisaJoy]

Nataly -- It's been a long time since I first lived on my own! Some of your questions depend on where you live (i.e., what type of neighborhood). For example, in my neighborhood, I wouldn't hesitate even to go for a long walk at night. But in my previous neighborhood - not so much.

So if you are comfortable that your neighborhood is safe, get your mail whenever you want to. But if you are unsure about safety, take every precaution you can. Whistles & mace are a good idea if you are in a sketchy area or even if you are just in a typical high density urban neighborhood or apartment complex.

Will you be driving or walking to the laundromat? If walking, get one of those granny shopping carts! The key is not to let it pile up too much. If you do regular small loads, you don't have to worry about carting heavy baskets.

[angel]

It has been awhile since i moved out on my own as well. I lived in a rural setting but on the same street as the high school so when i went to get the mail i had to cross the road and had to watch out for speeding cars.
I agree with lisa, it depends on your comfort level and where you are. I carry pepper spray in my purse all the time just in case. I also wouldn't hesitate to beat the hell out of someone with a crutch if the sitation came up where someone tried to harm me, i always thought my crutches doubled very well as weapons if needed.
I had my own washer and dryer in my place as i lived in the country and worked all the time so going out to do my laundry was not really a good option for me.
I LOVED living by myself. Don't get me wrong i love my husband and our life together but there is just something to be said for having your own place :) Hope you enjoy it, i know you will!

Angel

[Lifeisgood]

When I got my first apartment, my laundromat was a 2 block walk from my place and I did not have a car, so I got one of those granny carts that Lisa Joy was talking about (I see them sold in grocery stores all of the time) and put my hamper in that or lined it with a garbage bag (so my nice newly clean cloths would not get messy on the rainy or snowy days) and pushed it to the laundromat. Now I live on the third floor of my building (no elevator) and the laundry is in the basement. Oh how I hate traipsing up and down the stairs to do laundry.

One of these days I want laundry in my apartment!

[n3rdchik]

Congrats! A new apartment is exciting. No advice - all my apartment had coin laundry machines on site.

[technovicki]

Congrats on the apartment! It's funny what I look for an apartment now and what I did over 10 years ago. Some of my first apartments had on-site laundry which wasn't too far. I found using a laundry bag was the easiest to carry, similar to Santa Claus. I was always keep an eye on the weather, especially during winter to help plan my weekly laundry. I would separate my loads and laundry times into two sessions.

As everyone mentioned it depends on how good of neighborhood you live in, though never assume good = safe. I would check the mail during the day, morning on your way to work/school/store. And it depends if you have a big need for regular mail, most things I do is via the internet.

For the last few years I've lived in an apartment with washer/dryer in the unit, assigned parking spot and just recently with an elevator. I do have a cart to transfer groceries from the car to apartment.

Now when I view apartments I take into consideration bath tub distance to counter, height of toilet, height of bath tub, especially if its a garden tub, height of sink, bathroom and kitchen tile, etc.

[Emm]

Hi Nataly, Congrats on the move, what an exciting adventure.
Can't really give much advice as here in the uk things can be so much different than in your country, suffice to say that I am sure you will find ways and means to do things that you least expect.
Since my inability to do a lot of things is quite new to me now at 76yrs of age I have had to devise ways of getting things to my car as it is a bit of a walk to where it is parked on the roadside so the trolley part of my shopper often comes in handy as I strap things to it. Also, being as I have one flight of stairs to deal with, if possible I throw such things like a well baggaged load of rubbish down making sure that nobody else is about!lol!
All the best.

[nyd]

Might be a little late, but this is what I look for:

1. How safe the place is
2. Height from floor to ceiling. Higher = cooler & better ventilation
3. Floors should be tile
4. If the apt has lifts, I prefer higher floors as lower floors tend to have more mosquitoes.
5. If the toilet is western style, I make sure it is strong enough to bear my weight in squatting position.
6. Apartments must forbid dogs. I am scared of dogs.
7. Facilities: At the minimum, should have a swimming pool
8. Age of major appliances (AC, washing machine, fridge). Older appliances will cost you much more in electric bills and are more likely to break down.
9. I stay away from units by the road (too noisy).
10. If you take public transport, take the proximity to bus stops and subway stations into consideration.

There are more, but I think the above list is enough.

Laundry: I have a washing machine in my current apt.
In the past, I sometimes handwashed. I usually hire someone to do my laundry. I always line dry my clothes.

Have lived in 6 different apts between 17-25.

[LisaJoy]

Nataly, how's the apartment working out?